Tottenham’s season can still be a big success if they win the Europa League, says Micky Hazard

Emmanuel Adebayor scores for Tottneham against Dnipro in the last round of the Europa League (Picture: Reuters)

Tottenham have been told to use Atletico Madrid’s Europa League blueprint for success to forge a team capable of competing in the Champions League.

Spurs head into Sunday’s North London derby with Arsenal requiring victory to keep alive their fading hopes of a top four finish in the Premier League.

But former White Hart Lane favourite Micky Hazard, who won the Uefa Cup with Spurs in 1984, insists Spurs can salvage a season which has failed to live up to expectations by winning the Europa League.

They have reached the round of 16 and entertain Benfica this evening in the first of two glamorous legs and Hazard said: ‘Winning a trophy would be a big success for the club.

‘By doing that it shows you have got the bottle and the character to get across the finishing line and it draws top players to the club.’

Atletico Madrid used Europa League glory as a stepping stone (Picture: Getty)

Citing the 2010 and 2012 winners as an example, Hazard added: ‘Atletico Madrid won this tournament twice in three years and used it to build a squad which is now battling for the title in Spain and regarded as dark horses in the Champions League.

‘Of course, Tottenham want to finish in the top four in the Premier League but winning the Europa League would be a massive achievement. The bottom line is that it is a trophy, and a big one at that, and there are not too many around that can be won.’